Udinese travel to Torino on Monday with a familiar imbalance in their squad: uncertainty around the forwards, but a major defensive return in Oumar Solet. For Kosta Runjaic, the French centre-back’s recovery offers a chance to steady a side that has collected four points and conceded too freely in the opening five rounds.
The decision
Solet is back in contention after a muscle injury and has already featured in a friendly against Pogoń in Poland, a sign that his rehabilitation is complete. His availability is particularly important after he missed the matches against Inter and Cagliari, following an injury sustained in the home defeat to Lazio.
Runjaic had also been without Thomas Kabasele through suspension for the first two league fixtures, while Palma, the 2008-born defender in whom the club have considerable faith, was injured during the opening match against Como. The succession of absences has left Udinese patching together a department that has struggled for continuity. Enzo Ebosse has been asked to fill the gaps, but Solet’s technical level, authority and timing have been difficult to replace.
The 26-year-old can operate in the middle of the back line or on the left of a three-man defence, and his ability to advance with the ball has become one of his defining traits in Udine. He has scored four Serie A goals since joining the club in January 2025, three of them last season, after earlier spells at Lyon and Salzburg.
For the Turin trip, a possible defensive arrangement could include Abankwah, Kabasele and Solet. Abankwah has been one of the early positives, while Palma is not certain to return and Bertola remains behind in the race for selection.
Solet stayed at Udinese despite interest from elsewhere. Inter explored the possibility without completing a deal, while other European clubs also made approaches. Udinese’s valuation, set at €25 million, was below many of the fees being discussed for less established defenders. A January departure remains possible, but the player has handled the situation professionally and now has an immediate responsibility in helping the club change its direction.
Sunday’s picture
The attacking problems have not stopped Udinese finding goals. Nicolò Zaniolo and Gueye, the only striker to score so far, are unavailable, leaving Runjaic still unsure who can partner Keinan Davis against Torino. Yet the team have scored eight times in five matches, the seventh-best attacking return in the division.
That total has been shared around the side. Hassane Kamara has contributed, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp has scored twice, and Sandi Lovric? No, the remaining goals have come from Jesper Karlström, Abankwah and Piotrowski. The collective contribution has kept Udinese competitive despite the shortage of available forwards and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
The larger concern is at the other end. Udinese have allowed 11 goals, with only Venezia, Monza and Fiorentina recording worse defensive figures at this stage. Runjaic had set a clear standard before the season, saying he did not want his side to concede more than 38 across the campaign. The current rate makes that target difficult unless the team quickly tightens up.
Solet’s return therefore carries weight beyond one Monday fixture. He wants to play Champions League football again, an ambition suited to his qualities, but Udinese first need to recover the momentum expected of a team that began the season with broader ambitions. At Torino, the priority is simpler: take points again and give the campaign a more stable shape.
